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05-19-2019, 05:44 PM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Brownwood
Posts: 86
M.O.C. #14197
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True Confessions of a slow learner- RV Style
Okay, I have determined that it is time for a confession. I blew up a black tank. There now I should feel better right? Nope, I don't.
I was flushing the tank in the RV Barn when along came a distraction and I forgot about the water being on and when the tank filled up it popped the top. I didn't go looking for the tank but took it to the dealer instead. He said I had a bad connection (after keeping the RV for a week) and I took it home.
Talk about smell ... whew ... don't even try to imagine that one especially in the summer time ... in Texas ... in a campground. I super dosed the tank with Calgon (take me away) and solved the smell issue but not the cause. I just didn't get it. We left on a trip and all was well until I went three nights on the way home without dumping the tank. Stuff leaked out ... on the road when I turned around. Wife saw stuff ... on the ground and even Calgon could not take that away.
Got home anyway and took RV to the dealer again. This time he admitted the tank top had parted from the tank. No problem - they would change it out which cost a lot of money. Again. The first trip when they didn't fix the problem was not cheap either. I left the RV with him in the late Fall and he had to Winterize it account of freezing weather (yes Texas can get cold sometimes - briefly). That was the first time I ever had an RV winterized since I started RVing in the early seventies so I didn't like paying for that or getting everything back in service afterwards.
All was now well. Good tight tank, no smell, happy wife. Life was good. Briefly.
We use the RV two nights or so per week so the dumping and flushing never ends. It is a weekly or biweekly thing during cooler weather. I was flushing when the cell rang and I was absorbed into a business call when POP and the water hit the floor.
Did I mention I was a slow learner?
The dealer didn't get a very big chance at me this time although after doing a diligent search for a replacement tank I did order it thru him account he had the best price. We changed this tank in the barn after a very thorough wash (twice) in the wash bay and then cleaning up the wash bay.
I now set the alarm in the phone for 4 minuets to remind me to open the drain valve BEFORE the tank can possibly fill up and so far all has worked well. Trust me to screw it up ... twice but hopefully never more...
I know that I am supposed to have the drain open before flushing but it seems to work better if there is a volume of water in the tank before the valve is opened.
I'm sorry this narrative was so long but if it reminds you to not do what I did then my job here is done.
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05-19-2019, 06:45 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,166
M.O.C. #6433
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I don’t flush after every drain. Typically on last drain before leaving that campground, unless I am going to be there more than a week.
I always drain the tank first. Then start the flush and close the valve for 2-3 minutes, then drain, then close the valve for 2-3 minutes, then drain, until stuff seen in clear extension is relatively clear, then turn off the flush. And I never leave the flush area while the flush is running.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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05-19-2019, 07:32 PM
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#3
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Brownwood
Posts: 86
M.O.C. #14197
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I also hope you don't answer the phone...
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05-19-2019, 07:56 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Folsom, California
Posts: 552
M.O.C. #21903
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BB_TX
I don’t flush after every drain. Typically on last drain before leaving that campground, unless I am going to be there more than a week.
I always drain the tank first. Then start the flush and close the valve for 2-3 minutes, then drain, then close the valve for 2-3 minutes, then drain, until stuff seen in clear extension is relatively clear, then turn off the flush. And I never leave the flush area while the flush is running.
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^^^^ This is exactly what I do. Use the timer on my phone to make sure I don't exceed 3 minutes.
I was back flushing the black tank on my old Sea Breeze and got distracted. When water started gushing out of my roof vent, I remembered that I was in the process of flushing. Fortunately, I has already gone through a few fill and drain cycles, so black tank was pretty clean. Didn't hurt the tank.
__________________
'05 F250 6.0 Bullet Proofed - Sold
'17 F350 6.7 Lariet
'02 Montana 3280RL Upgraded a bunch.
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05-19-2019, 07:59 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 2,952
M.O.C. #5651
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I did the same thing you did the first time. New to the Monty and hadn't read much on this forum. I didn't know about the tank separating on the top, etc back then. But now I am very careful. I try to stop the flush after 4-5 minutes and then open the drain.
Of course we rarely stay in one spot more than 3 nights and mostly 1 or 2. So I flush often.
__________________
Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
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05-19-2019, 08:24 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,930
M.O.C. #20477
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All of us have done something not real smart once or twice. Hopefully some of us can learn from your mistake.
A lot of us flush the black tank more than required. No need to get it so clean. It seems to flush fairly well just leaving the black gate valve open without backing water up in the tank.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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05-19-2019, 10:44 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
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Thanks for sharing. It helps keep us on our toes. It would help also if Keystone mounted the tanks according to the manufacturers recommendations. Any tank should hold fluid to it's capacity. Two piece tanks, opposed to one piece tanks commonly split at the seam. If under warranty they will pay for the fix.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
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05-20-2019, 04:35 AM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Alexandria
Posts: 352
M.O.C. #12394
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"Siri, set timer for 3 minutes" Keeps me on track and doesn't let me........THAT'S where I left that wrench. I better put that up and clean up the tool bin.........
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______________________
2013 F350 SRW King Ranch
2011 3400RL
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05-20-2019, 06:47 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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If I was faced with replacing a black or gray tank I would get the new one-piece tanks like they put on the Montanas now. I believe this change was made about model year 2018.
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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05-29-2019, 01:38 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Goldbar, WA.
Posts: 168
M.O.C. #21854
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime
If I was faced with replacing a black or gray tank I would get the new one-piece tanks like they put on the Montanas now. I believe this change was made about model year 2018.
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I have a 2018 and have been wondering about my tank. Is there an easy-ish way to tell whether I've got a one-piece or not?
__________________
2018 3950BR - MORryde X-Factor, Disc Brakes, 3rd AC, Stacked W/D, Winegard Trav'ler (DTV), 2000w inverter, EMS-HW50C
2022 Ford F-450 Limited Diesel Dually - B&W 25k Hitch
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05-29-2019, 02:43 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime
If I was faced with replacing a black or gray tank I would get the new one-piece tanks like they put on the Montanas now. I believe this change was made about model year 2018.
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We have 2013 3402.We were told at the national rally that the new tanks are not compatible with the old two piece tanks. I believe the change was before 2018.
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05-29-2019, 03:20 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Havasu City AZ.
Posts: 1,811
M.O.C. #10552
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There has to be an after market one pice tank that is a replacement to the stock one. As least one would think.
__________________
Wayne and Ann Moore
2015 Ford F-350 King Ranch
Firestone air bags, bed saver.
Add 40 GAL tank in bed.
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05-29-2019, 04:33 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Ogden
Posts: 638
M.O.C. #13862
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Why wouldn't the overflow simply go straight up the vent pipe to the roof and avert damage? Isn't the roof vent a direct pipe into the black tank?
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05-29-2019, 04:39 PM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Sun City
Posts: 408
M.O.C. #23256
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As these different? The black tank flush inlet at our convenience center says to flush it with the valve open.
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Dave in AZ
2008 Montana 3400RL
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel Dually
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05-29-2019, 08:27 PM
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#15
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Established Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Redding
Posts: 34
M.O.C. #9515
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I use an in line gallon counter. I don't leave the area while the water us running. The nice thing Is I can get a good amount of water and know exactly how much went in.
__________________
2021 GMC 3500HD Dually
2019 3790RD Legacy
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05-30-2019, 08:07 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Milan
Posts: 623
M.O.C. #13390
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Ok, I just have to share this story. First time camping in our last Monty and got to campsite late, as in the dark. We did a replay of Robin Williams in the movie "RV". Apparently it's not good to try and fill the fresh water tank..... thru the flush valve, ha. Both hook ups were next to each other..... it was dark...... we were new...nuff said. The rv turned into Yellowstone! Geyser coming out of the toilet! Old Faithful spewing out the roof! Funny now. Not so much then! After that I put a yellow happy face sticker on fresh water inlet and red frown face on flush valve!
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05-30-2019, 09:55 AM
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#17
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Brownwood
Posts: 86
M.O.C. #14197
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https://www.montanaowners.com/forums/images/smilies/redface.gif
Whew, I thought I was the lead dummy when it comes to flushing. When you foul up twice you start remembering that doing the same thing more than once and expecting a different result is pretty much the definition of stupid....
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05-31-2019, 12:30 PM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Coeur D Alene
Posts: 159
M.O.C. #9827
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Meet another dum dum dum dum
I admit in 40 years , I have made the same mistake 3 times . 3 pull trailers, 2 Monty's and the latest a Life Style. Each of the three times ,some knot Head next door wants to talk..!!!
Now I just become rude and tell him ,if this over flows YOU are going to clean it up.... Still want to talk!!!!!!.......
Don't bother people when they are unhooking, or hooking up.....or DUMPING.
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05-31-2019, 04:18 PM
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#19
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Brownwood
Posts: 86
M.O.C. #14197
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Gospel According to Bear
For a family oriented forum you have worded your reply quiet factually and succinctly as in, "LEAVE ME ALONE, I'M BUSY HERE!"
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05-31-2019, 04:58 PM
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#20
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New Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Las vegas
Posts: 9
M.O.C. #24069
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Try this one. New 19 3700lk. First trip to Zion NP, the shakedown run as I call it. Pour my chemical in the black tank. Day 2, grey tank is full, pull the valve and walk away. Come back 20 minutes later, close valve. Go to bed. Day 3, take shower in the am, shower starts to FLOOD. Stop shower immediately, walk out buck naked, dripping wet, check panel, it say “DRAIN ME STUPID”. dry off, go outside, pull grey valve, and nothing comes out. Hmmmmm, pull the black tank valve, what the heck and guess what, grey tank drains. YES, THEY MISLABELED THE BLACK AND GRY TANKS !!!!!
Well it was interesting cleaning out the bone dry black tank.
Today, I still chuckle about that......
__________________
SashaM
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn dually
2019 Montana 3700LK 20th anniversary edition
Mopar 30k hitch
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